OPENING CEREMONY:
THREE billion people tuned in as Brazil launched the 31st summer Olympics with a South American extravaganza,
Beaming with pride, Andy Murray led the procession of British hopefuls at the opening ceremony in Rio holding the Union Flag aloft.
“My first thought was ‘don’t drop it’ – I was gripping really tight,” admitted Murray, who had appeared to be struggling with the pole during practice. “Then I was trying to take it all in. The size of the stadium was incredible.”
More than 11,000 athletes from 206 nations are due to take part in the Games, including the first “refugee team” in Olympic history.
The party was wrapped up with a rousing parade of the city’s samba schools that compete in Carnival. As drummers beat out Brazil’s trademark rhythm, some of the athletes were tempted into a few steps of samba.
Brazil is South America’s first Olympic host, but the Games are taking place as the country faces its deepest recession in recent times.
The opening ceremony eschewed the hitech wizardry of London and Beijing, opting instead for a decidedly “analogue” display. There was no shortage of spectacular fireworks, however, and creative director Fernando Meirelles promised that even with less money he would provide “the coolest party”.
As one of the most culturally diverse and economically divided nations, the show highlighted the slum-like favelas encircling wealthy parts of Rio and its famous beach.
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen then sashayed across the stadium to the Bosa Nova classic The Girl From Ipanema.
In another section a biplane appeared to fly out of the stadium and circle the city’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Brazil’s painful past also featured, including the history of its first Portuguese settlers and their conquest of the indigenous population that heralded 400 years of slave labour.
Stealing the limelight, Tongan taekwondo champion Pita Nikolas Taufatofua appeared bare-chested with his torso covered in oil and his modesty spared only by a Tongan mat.
Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell joked: “It’s the way forward for the flag bearers – what’s wrong with Andy Murray doing that?” It was not all plain sailing, however, with acting premier Michel Temer booed by crowds as he declared the Games open.
Jeers were also levelled at the Russian team in the wake of its doping scandal.
The Games are thought to have cost Brazil’s beleaguered Government at least £15billion, half the cost of London’s Games in 2012, causing anger among many of the country’s citizens. There was a tense stand-off with police as protesters tried to block the arrival of the Olympic Torch in the city.
And there was no hiding the number of empty seats, with organisers forced to bus hundreds of schoolchildren into the stadium.
Events were under threat, too. While tennis, swimming, triathlon and the finals of beach volleyball, volleyball, football and basketball – the most popular sports in Brazil – were sellout events, some 1.5million tickets remain unsold for other competitions.
Meanwhile, the presence of 80,000 armed security personnel – twice the number used in London – on alert for potential terrorist attacks, did little to add to the festivities.